Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present a beautiful example of
this 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado 2 Door Hardtop with it's original
specification desirable custom interior option of 'Excella Pattern
Cloth amp; Vinyl Strato Bench Seat' interior with it's original and
rare front wheel drive 455ci 375HP 4 BBL 'Rocket' V8 engine matched
to it's original Turbo-Hydra-matic 400 automatic transmission and
loaded with factory options including:Power SteeringPower
BrakesWheel Trim CoversElectric clockDeluxe Steering wheelClimate
Control Heater amp; Air ConditioningWhite sidewall tires ($49)Vinyl
Roof ($126)Tilt amp; Telescopic Steering Wheel ($14)6 Way Power
Seat ($74)Power AntennaPower Trunk Release ($47)AM Radio ($87)Dual
ExhaustsFinished in it's original factory 'Meadow Green' color
paint (Paint Code 59) with it's original matching 'Green Excella
Pattern Cloth amp; Vinyl Strato Bench Seat' interior, a factory
ordered Black vinyl top and with it's original wheels and hubcaps.
In 1969 the Toronado Custom interiors were a popular option,
providing amenities the standard interior didn't offer, such as
full-length door armrests with built-in provisions for the optional
power windows and door locks controls. The full width Strato bench
seat with center fold-down armrest was also part of the Custom
interior package, and was becoming the standard for luxury car
seating in 1969. The original 'Meadow Green' color was to prove so
popular in 1969 that it was consequently offered on vehicles of
every GM division.The car will be sold with it's original owners
manual and Protecto-plate showing it's original purchase date of
8/6/1969 at 'Harris Tunison Motors' of Albany, OR. From Oregon the
car reportedly was sold to a collector in Massachusetts where it
remained until last year when it was gifted to the collector's
younger brother, a mechanic at a local Mercedes dealership, who
lives in San Diego. The original interior was showing it's age and
consequently the seat fabric and vinyl were replaced with original
SMS specification 'Excella Pattern' reproductions. The car was
repainted some years ago and the clearcoat had somewhat oxidized
but it has now been color sanded and buffed with different grades
of compound to bring back it's original luster. The front bumper
has been rechromed and a vacuum actuator was sourced to lift the
headlight doors. This has not yet been installed but will be
included with the car and therefore please note that presently the
head light doors need to be manually operated. Please also note
that the original spare wheel and jack is still located in it's
rightful place in the trunk.Oldsmobile created the news of the year
in 1966 with the introduction of the Toronado, a bold idea
combining intriguing exquisite styling with every detail executed
by the legendary Bill Mitchell and with sports car performance and
which was also the first front wheel drive car (since the mid 30's
Cord of which the Toronado would be compared by some) of the modern
automotive era. It proved to be one of the most desirable
Oldsmobiles ever produced. The Toronado was a full-size luxury
sport car with a look unlike any other car on the road at the time,
jutting front fenders, hidden headlamps, muscularly flared wheel
arches and a cropped tail trailing a smooth fastback roofline makes
these first generation models unmistakable even today.It was a very
large 2 Door Hardtop model distinguished by large rounded wheel cut
outs, a sloping fastback roofline, a full-width grille with hidden
headlights mounted between the grille and the hood line. The first
generation Toronado (1966-67) had a 425 c.i. engine that unleashed
385 HP, plenty of horsepower to match any of its competition
combined with exceptional traction, handling and performance. In a
bid to fight off it's staid image, Oldsmobile had sought to defy
convention when it introduced the Toronado. Rather than following
the mainstream ideals of creating a muscle car by simply dropping a
huge V8 into an exisiting bodyshell, GM's most traditional brand
had chosen to turn the rulebook on it's head. The new looks were
one thing but the engineering was something else with an enormous
7.4 liter (454 c.i.) big block V8 engine making for startling
performance and it's unique front wheel drive technology, it would
prove to be one of the most interesting US car's of its era which
would have a huge influence on future car designs. The technology
used in the Toronado, along with its ride and handling achievements
garnered the Toronado the prestigious 1966 'Motor Trend' magazine
'Car of the Year' award!By 1967 every model in the Oldsmobile line
up was to be compared to the Toronado in some respect in the
majority of its advertising. The car received only some very modest
restyling with the only major appearance change being to the area
round the headlight opening which was now made flush as opposed to
the small indented area above the first years model and these first
generation Toronado's now boast 'Milestone' status. By 1969, the
top-of-the-line Oldsmobile had a loyal following and continued as a
unique one model only line with only very minimal changes until
1970 when the headlights were exposed for the first time. Sadly in
1971 the Toronado would grow to unbelievable proportions and beyond
these years the model is hardly collectible at all.The original
455cid 375HP 4 barrel V8 engine with still correct factory colors
is extremely strong and powerful and this particular car drives
very well with the automatic transmission shifting smoothly
throughout all the gears and the temperature always remaining
cool!This is one very rare and highly desirable example of a never
abused and very original example of one of the outstanding muscle
cars of the sixties, which has high repute amongst American classic
muscle car collectors and obviously in particular Oldsmobile
enthusiasts for both it's beautiful lines and smooth fast
performance for a luxury coupe.In summary, this is one great
opportunity to own a great rust free example of the second
generation (1968-70) Oldsmobile Toronado 2 Door Hardtop ; a very
rare and correctly restored as necessary throughout the years model
with it's original engine and a virtually completely original
looking example of this increasingly collectible marque built for
only four years in these most desirable first two generation
versions (1966-67 amp; 1968-70) . A sure-fire investment that's
sure to appreciate over the years for any classic American sixties
muscle car collector!